Shoe firm first to use discounted pop-up space

A council has opened a discounted space for pop-up shops in an attempt to breathe life into an ailing high street.

The building on London Road, in Waterlooville, is part of Havant Borough Council's regeneration programme for the town.

Vintage Trainers, a family-run business, which specialises in refurbishing and reselling pre-owned trainers, will be the first to use the space for 12 weeks.

Councillor Antonia Harrison said the authority had invested £150,000 in new businesses and was "excited" about the establishments opening up in the Hampshire town.

The cabinet member for thriving Waterlooville said she believes the "town centre has been neglected for a long time".

"Things don't change overnight but I think we're making progress quite fast and you only have to look around you, the footfall's increasing and just generally people are feeling better about Waterlooville," she said.

Vintage Trainers usually operates as an online business but the company's Matt Shaul said: "We've got a massively reduced rent on this building for the 12-week period and that enables us to be able to go to the local community, show them what we do and showcase sustainable fashion."

Some residents have mixed views about the local authority's investment in Waterlooville.

Debbie Kingston said she thinks high streets across the country "are on the decline because of online shopping".

She added: "But I think what they're trying to do is a great thing because I think people do need to visit shops more often."

Sasha Butler has lived in the area for 51 years and said she does not think enough is being done to support the high street.

"It doesn't look inviting, it just looks horrible and nobody cares about it anymore," she said.

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